How to transfer a file from Windows to Linux?
A migrant continuously collects all his belongings from the origin and carries them to the destination. It doesn’t matter if you go from one city to another, from one country to another,, or even from one operating system to another! In any case, you take your most valuable things with you. If you decide to change the operating system you are using, you must transfer your data and information to the new one. This task seems simple at. First, the story becomes more complicated when you want to transfer from Windows to the server.
To quickly and easily transfer files from Windows to Linux, there are six methods in front you: using an external network communication service SSH or Secure Shell, using the file transfer protocol (FTP), using synchronization software, and using a virtual machine. Linux, sharing network folders, using WinSCP.
Here we will teach you different methods to transfer files from Windows to Linux. So, if you were worried about sharing your data and did not buy a Linux server, now you can safely purchase a Linux virtual server.
Fast and easy ways to transfer files from Windows to Linux
To share your files from one operating system to another, you need to choose the method that works best for you. Here are six methods you can choose from:
- Use an external SSH or Secure Shell network connection service
- Using File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
- Using synchronization software
- Using a Linux virtual machine
- Share network folders
- Using WinSCP
Copy data from Windows computer to Linux with SSH.
Secure Shell (SSH) is a unique network protocol allowing users to access different devices securely. So, your first step with this method is to enable SSH on your Linux machine. After doing this, you can copy your files from Windows to Linux via the command line.
How to set up an SSH server on Linux
You need to open a terminal and update your OS.
Install SSH server via OpenSSH server. This server allows you to eliminate all possible threats to your data.
As you wait for the SSH server to finish installing, you can ensure that the OpenSSH server is running correctly by using the SSH status of the sudo service.
Install an SSH client such as PuTTY. It is an entirely free program for transferring files between different networks, but it cannot work without PSCP or the PuTTY secure copy client tool.
Download and save the exe file to your Windows C:\ drive.
Copy your files from Windows to Linux with the following code:
c:\pscp c:
ome\path\to\a\file.txt user@remoteIP:\home\user
ome\path
ewname.txt
Note that you need to enter the password of your Linux computer before starting the file transfer.
Copy data from Windows computer to Linux with FTP.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is another excellent way to copy your data from Windows to Linux. Many may find this method more manageable since you don’t need to type commands. Check your Linux server and make sure it is ready for this approach. Also, you need a program like FileZilla to transfer with FTP.
Run the FileZilla program.
“Site Manager.” open the
Create a “New Site.”
Change to “SFTP” protocol.
Enter the desired IP address in the “Host” field.
Add your username and password.
Switch to “Normal” for the “Logon” type.
Press “Connect.”
Afterward, you can use the FTP program to transfer your files from one server to another.
Copy data from Windows PC to Linux with a synchronization software
Another option is using a file synchronization program to copy your files from Windows to Linux. Usually, these programs manage the communication between two devices or systems through an encrypted key. There are two great apps you can use for this method:
Resilio Sync – Although this app offers a paid version, it also has a free option that does this.
SyncThing – This app offers the same service as before but is 100% free.
Whether you choose the first option or the second option, in any case, the way they work is the same. After installing your desired program in Windows and choosing a sync folder, you can create the necessary key. When you set it up on Linux, your data will start syncing between the two systems.
Copy data from Windows PC to Linux with Linux virtual machine
You don’t need a completely separate computer to transfer data. A virtual machine can copy your files from Windows to Linux by running one of your systems, either Windows or Linux. This allows you to run the other system in an application window and use it as another computer.
To combine your two systems into one computer, you need the help of additional software. One of the most common is Oracle VM VirtualBox. This platform allows users to work actively with multiple operating systems on one device.
How to set up the VirtualBox platform
1. Install the VirtualBox Guest Additions platform.
2. After clicking on “Start” (green arrow icon), select “Start without a head.”
3. Find “Shared Folders” in “Settings.”
4.S elect the “Machine Folders” option.
5. Add a shared folder by clicking the “+” icon in the upper right corner of the window.
6. Select “Folder Path” from the list and name.
7. Make sure the shared folder is accessible when running the VM. To achieve this, check the “Auto-mount” box before confirming your selections.
8. Click on the “OK” button.
9. Restart your “virtual machine” system, and the setup will be ready.
You can copy your files between the host computer (Windows) and the guest system (Linux) or vice versa.
Share network folders
Making a folder available over the Network is the easiest way to share files between Windows and Linux. However, this approach is fundamentally different from other methods. We install a Windows directory on Linux or a Linux directory on Windows over the Network by creating shared network folders. Therefore, this approach allows users to simultaneously use the duplicate files and folders on Windows and Linux.
When installing a Windows machine, users must first edit the network connections. To do this, right-click the network connection icon in the system tray.
Then select Open Network & Internet Settings, tap Sharing Options, and enable the following.
- Turn on network discovery.
- Turn on file and printer sharing.
Save the changes and navigate to the folder on the file system you want to share over the Network. Right-click the folder and select Properties. Then open the Sharing tab, click Advanced Sharing, and select the Share this folder check box. You can also manage permissions by clicking the Permissions button on the same page. When everything is done, apply the changes and save the settings.
To access this Windows directory on your Linux system, open the Linux file system browser and select Network. Now go to the Windows host folder, and you can start the data exchange.
To share a folder from a Linux system to Windows, you need a package or tool that emulates Windows protocols on a Linux machine, allowing it to share and access data with a Windows machine. Samba is one of the most widely used powerful tools that will enable users to mount any Linux folder on Windows and Windows folder on Linux.
Aside from these standard methods of transferring data between Linux and Windows operating systems, you can use several third-party programs that allow you to share data between different machines running on other operating systems. However, these third-party programs typically use standard protocols, such as SSH or FTP below, to transfer data.
Fast and effortless transfer of files via WinSCP between Windows and Linux
Another method that you can use to transfer files from Windows to Linux is using the WinSCP method. After you run this program, the login window will open for you. On the right side of the page, you can see the File protocol title, which you should set to SFTP. At the bottom of it, you will see the Hostname, where you must enter the address of your Linux server. And in the user name and password fields, type the information about the root user of the destination server, and finally, click on the login button.
Be careful that you may come across a certificate-based message, which is better to click on yes.
Now, if you look at the WinSCP software window, the content of the local computer’s hard disk will be shown on the left side, and the root directory of the destination system will be shown on the right side.
You need to select any file you want, right-click, and choose the upload option, as shown in the image below.
In the window that opens, click OK.
Done. Your files were quickly transferred to the Linux operating system, and you can use this method to edit and store all the essential files you had in Windows and want to use in your new operating system.
It is essential to know that you can connect to the virtual server using WinSCP, which we have taught you in the article “Connecting to the server with WinSCP and downloading the file.”
Conclusion
This article taught you six ways to transfer files between Windows and Linux operating systems. Pay attention that no method is superior to the other, and which one to choose among the six methods is a question that you have to answer. Depending on your needs and convenience, you can select one of the methods we mentioned.
If you use a virtual server and want to transfer files from a virtual server to a computer, you can read the file transfer article from a virtual server to a computer.